Complex dog training
is based on a foundation of the successful carrying-out of simple
commands. A search and rescue dog does not begin with searching and
rescuing, and a well-trained gun dog does not instigate his education
with quartering a field and retrieving shot birds. Before a dog can
carry out these more difficult tasks they must establish a rapport with
their coach and develop a sense of self-belief in their ability to
complete the job they are asked to do.
Dog training school begins with fundamental obedience commands; ‘come’, ‘sit’ and ‘stay’. This lesson is on the second I teach a pup, ‘sit’.
By now he comes when called and in learning that command the pup has accomplished two things. First, he’s learned that he can learn; sounds simple, perhaps even redundant, but before learning to come when called he had no concept of “learning”. It’s important that he comprehends this notion because he’ll likely be doing a lot more of it!
Second, he’s learned the value of pleasing you, his master. You’ll notice that in my dog training school there is minimal use of “treats”. Food is for nourishing the body; praise nourishes the soul. Watch your dog’s reaction to being fed. He’ll wag his tail and pant enthusiastically, then dive head first into his kibble. But give him lavish praise and generous petting and he’ll nearly pass out from all his delight. Nothing, and I mean nothing, please a dog more than knowing he’s pleased the most important being in his life.
Teaching the “Sit!” Command
Successfully teaching the ‘sit’ command gives you control over your dog. There is much she does not, and will not, appreciate about the world around her and it is your duty to fend on her behalf. Your family and friends do not wish to be in the company of an unruly dog; when she sniffs, licks and runs helter-skelter in their presence tell her to ‘sit’.
When walking your dog and then stopping, you do not want her wrapping her lead around your legs; command her to ‘sit’.
Call your dog to you and tell him to ‘sit’; you now have his attention and are ready to continue with today’s lesson.
Okay, hopefully I’ve established that teaching your dog to sit on command is worth your time and effort. Here are several ways to make it happen.
The easiest technique simply involves paying attention. Your dog does a lot of sitting on his own; when you see him beginning to park his rump on the ground say “Sit!” Not “sit down” or “take a seat” or anything else fancy; just “Sit!” (As I’ve mentioned before it is okay to say the dog’s name first, i.e. “Gracie, sit!”) Go to your dog and be liberal with the praise.
The second technique is usually taught by using a treat but works as well without. Stand in front of your dog (who is also standing at this point) and hold you open-palmed hand in front of her nose. As she begins sniffing it move your hand up and back over her head. She’ll raise her head and hopefully begin to lower her butt; as she begins to sit give her the command; “Sit!” If necessary, gently push her rump toward the ground.
The third technique is a variation on the second and the one I use most often. With your dog standing, move to his side, put one hand under his chin and the other on his back right in front of his tail. Support his head and push his rump toward the ground while commanding “Sit!” You may also support the head with your dog’s collar and leash. Lavish with praise, pause and repeat. Do these exercises only for a few minutes and always end the lesson on a successful ‘sit’.
Bonus!
Here’s a bonus for you that only the bigshots teach. Once your dog comprehends sitting on command (and that should happen rather quickly) introduce a hand signal. When you command “Sit!” show your dog your open palm like you were a cop stopping traffic or Superman stopping a speeding bullet. In no time at all Gracie will hit the deck with the hand signal alone and you will become the envy of all the dog owners in your neighborhood.
Happy training to you! See ya’ in the next Dog Training School lesson and please; spay or neuter your dog!
Dog training school begins with fundamental obedience commands; ‘come’, ‘sit’ and ‘stay’. This lesson is on the second I teach a pup, ‘sit’.
By now he comes when called and in learning that command the pup has accomplished two things. First, he’s learned that he can learn; sounds simple, perhaps even redundant, but before learning to come when called he had no concept of “learning”. It’s important that he comprehends this notion because he’ll likely be doing a lot more of it!
Second, he’s learned the value of pleasing you, his master. You’ll notice that in my dog training school there is minimal use of “treats”. Food is for nourishing the body; praise nourishes the soul. Watch your dog’s reaction to being fed. He’ll wag his tail and pant enthusiastically, then dive head first into his kibble. But give him lavish praise and generous petting and he’ll nearly pass out from all his delight. Nothing, and I mean nothing, please a dog more than knowing he’s pleased the most important being in his life.
Teaching the “Sit!” Command
Successfully teaching the ‘sit’ command gives you control over your dog. There is much she does not, and will not, appreciate about the world around her and it is your duty to fend on her behalf. Your family and friends do not wish to be in the company of an unruly dog; when she sniffs, licks and runs helter-skelter in their presence tell her to ‘sit’.
When walking your dog and then stopping, you do not want her wrapping her lead around your legs; command her to ‘sit’.
Call your dog to you and tell him to ‘sit’; you now have his attention and are ready to continue with today’s lesson.
Okay, hopefully I’ve established that teaching your dog to sit on command is worth your time and effort. Here are several ways to make it happen.
The easiest technique simply involves paying attention. Your dog does a lot of sitting on his own; when you see him beginning to park his rump on the ground say “Sit!” Not “sit down” or “take a seat” or anything else fancy; just “Sit!” (As I’ve mentioned before it is okay to say the dog’s name first, i.e. “Gracie, sit!”) Go to your dog and be liberal with the praise.
The second technique is usually taught by using a treat but works as well without. Stand in front of your dog (who is also standing at this point) and hold you open-palmed hand in front of her nose. As she begins sniffing it move your hand up and back over her head. She’ll raise her head and hopefully begin to lower her butt; as she begins to sit give her the command; “Sit!” If necessary, gently push her rump toward the ground.
The third technique is a variation on the second and the one I use most often. With your dog standing, move to his side, put one hand under his chin and the other on his back right in front of his tail. Support his head and push his rump toward the ground while commanding “Sit!” You may also support the head with your dog’s collar and leash. Lavish with praise, pause and repeat. Do these exercises only for a few minutes and always end the lesson on a successful ‘sit’.
Bonus!
Here’s a bonus for you that only the bigshots teach. Once your dog comprehends sitting on command (and that should happen rather quickly) introduce a hand signal. When you command “Sit!” show your dog your open palm like you were a cop stopping traffic or Superman stopping a speeding bullet. In no time at all Gracie will hit the deck with the hand signal alone and you will become the envy of all the dog owners in your neighborhood.
Happy training to you! See ya’ in the next Dog Training School lesson and please; spay or neuter your dog!
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